T-Bird’s Flight to a Global Perspective

Published: September 16, 2010 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Cedar City is a long way from the United Arab Emirates – 8105.8 miles, to be exact. But thanks to SUU Provost Brad Cook, a few lucky T-Birds may stretch their education across continents and cultures as participants in the international Education Without Borders (EWB) conference next March.

An opportunity open to all interested students – regardless of major or class standing – the Provost’s office is partnering with EWB to cover the travel and lodging expenses of Southern Utah University students who gain admission to this cross-cultural gathering of students with business, technology, education and humanitarian leaders from around the world in an effort to generate solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.

With the guiding vision to use “education and technology to help create a world in which all people can lead free and dignified lives,” Education Without Borders aims to “engage students and experts from countries around the world in active dialogue about the globe’s most pressing social challenges and empower them to create and implement solutions.”

And in this sense, Cedar City’s relevance to a nation more than 8,000 miles away is aptly fitting.

This extraordinary event brings together 1000 students from 300 universities representing 120 countries and will take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The theme for the 2011 EWB Conference is “Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges”. Students may choose to focus their ideas within one of five sub-themes:
• Education: Enhancing access, ensuring success
• Economics: Harnessing entrepreneurship and business opportunities for positive impact
• Science, Engineering & Technology: Solutions for a better future
• New Media: Engaging and empowering individuals
• Policy: Advocacy, diplomacy and activism to drive change

Provost Cook would like to support SUU students who are interested in tackling these global challenges and engaging in this active dialogue on an international scale.

To join this cross-cultural coalition, SUU students must apply to become a delegation member at the international conference. The application process is all online and asks students to articulate their circumstances and perspective, as well as how this perspective will contribute to a broader worldview in fulfilling the conference’s objectives.

Applications are currently being accepted, with an October 30, 2010 submission deadline.

If they choose, students may also boost their chances of acceptance by submitting a brief proposal for a full length original paper on any one of the five conference sub-themes. If selected, students may then develop this idea for presentation at the conference. Although students are not required to submit an abstract as a condition to attend the conference, Provost Cook encourages students to submit an abstract for a proposed paper on one of the sub-themes for Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges. The Provost is available for consultation as students craft their paper ideas.

Additionally, students are asked to select an institutional mentor. With a sincere interest in helping as many SUU students as possible secure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Provost Cook encourages students to list him as “mentor” on the conference application. The conference website provides details on the event and application process. If students still have questions about the event, they are welcome to contact the Provost’s Office to set up an appointment to meet with the Provost (435-586-7704).

If and when a student is accepted to the conference, they should also contact the Provost’s Office to begin travel arrangements.

Additional information about the application process is available on the Education Without Borders website. More information about SUU student participation and the University’s interest in this conference is available on the Provost’s website.

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